Bipolar electrosurgery actuator

ABSTRACT

A system for selectively actuating a heating current conductible from a bipolar generator to a surgical tool may comprise an actuator assembly having an output receptacle, an input plug, and an actuating component. The output receptacle may be configured to receive a complementary tool plug of the surgical tool. The input plug may be configured for mating with a generator receptacle receivable of the heating current from the bipolar generator. The generator receptacle may be complementary to the tool plug. The actuating component may have at least one of a switch and a lever arm and may be configured to communicate with the bipolar generator for selectively actuating the heating current to flow from the input plug to the output receptacle upon engagement of the switch or the lever arm.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/726,490, filed on May 30, 2015, which claims benefit of priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/005,290, filed May 30, 2014,the content of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bipolar electrosurgery, including bipolar electrocautery, is widely usedto apply a heating current to a very localized volume of tissues inorder to achieve hemostasis (cauterization, coagulation) or to dissect(cut) tissues, such as during neurosurgery. Typically, a bipolargenerator resting near the operating table generates steady orintermittent voltages which are delivered through a power cord to abipolar electrosurgical tool, such as a forceps. A foot pedal controlleroperated by the surgeon connects to the bipolar generator through apedal control line separate from the power cord delivering the heatingcurrent to the forceps. Unfortunately, the location of the pedalcontroller is often not aligned with the surgeon's foot, requiring thatthe surgeon grope for the pedal or contort his or her body position inorder to depress the correct pedal, posing significant risk and delay tothe surgery in progress.

One solution is to have a surgeon's assistant move the pedal controllerto a position which is close to the surgeon's foot. But this, again,adds delay to the surgery. Further, if the surgeon moves to anotherstanding position, the location of the pedal controller may no longer bereliably known by the surgeon. Additionally, the pedal control line isan additional cable in an operating room already full of instruments andcables, and may thereby create clutter and a risk of falling.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects oressential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summaryis not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of theclaimed subject matter.

In an embodiment, there is disclosed a system for selectively actuatinga heating current conductible from a bipolar generator to a surgicaltool and which may comprise an actuator assembly having an outputreceptacle, an input plug, and an actuating component. The outputreceptacle may be configured to receive a complementary tool plug of thesurgical tool. The input plug may be configured for mating with agenerator receptacle receivable of the heating current from the bipolargenerator. The actuating component may have at least one of a switch anda lever arm and may be configured to communicate with the bipolargenerator for selectively actuating the heating current to flow from theinput plug to the output receptacle upon engagement of the switch or thelever arm.

In another embodiment, there is disclosed a system for selectivelyactuating a heating current conductible from a bipolar generator to asurgical tool, and which may comprise two elongated conducting membersextending from a base end of the surgical tool to a heating end of thesurgical tool. The base end may be configure to receive the heatingcurrent from the bipolar generator through a power cord. The heating endmay effectuate at least one of the following modes of operation of thesurgical tool: cutting, coagulation. An actuator assembly may interposeone of the power cord and at least one of the elongated conductingmembers within a base portion of the surgical tool nearer the base end.The interposing may result in a generator terminal conductive to thebipolar generator and a tip terminal conductive to the heating end. Theactuator assembly may comprise an actuating component having at leastone of a switch and a lever arm and being configured to communicate withthe bipolar generator to selectively actuate the heating current to flowfrom the generator terminal to the tip terminal upon engagement of theswitch or the lever arm.

In yet another embodiment, there is disclosed a method for selectivelyactuating a heating current conductible from a bipolar generator to anelectrosurgical forceps, and which may comprise interposing an actuatingcomponent along an available current path extending between a handle ofthe forceps and the bipolar generator. The bipolar generator may becapable of delivering the heating current for effectuating at a heatingend of the forceps at least one of a cutting mode and a coagulationmode. The method may further comprise disposing on the actuatingcomponent at least one of a switch and a lever arm. The method mayfurther comprise engaging the switch or the lever arm by one of asurgeon and a surgeon's assistant, the switch or the lever arm beingconfigured for human operation by one of a hand and an upper body. Themethod may further comprise the actuating component communicating withthe bipolar generator to selectively actuate the heating current to flowto the heating end of the forceps upon engagement of the switch or thelever arm.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the technology willbe set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part willbecome more apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of thefollowing, or may be learned from practice of the technology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention,including the preferred embodiment, are described with reference to thefollowing figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like partsthroughout the various views unless otherwise specified. Illustrativeembodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 (prior art) illustrates an embodiment of foot pedals used toinitiate the flow of a heating current to electrosurgical forceps.

FIGS. 2a-2b (prior art) illustrates an embodiment of electrosurgicalforceps connected by a tool plug.

FIGS. 3a-3b illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an in-line actuatorassembly for a bipolar electrosurgical actuating system and method, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4a-4b illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an actuator assemblymounted to a forceps for a bipolar electrosurgical actuating system andmethod.

FIGS. 5a-5b illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an in-line actuatorassembly separated by a jumper cord for a bipolar electrosurgicalactuating system and method.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a hard electrical switchfor facilitating an actuating component for a bipolar electrosurgicalactuating system and method.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a control signalingcomponent coupled to the input plug for facilitating an actuatingcomponent for a bipolar electrosurgical actuating system and method.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a control signalingtransmitted to an auxiliary receiver for facilitating an actuatingcomponent for a bipolar electrosurgical actuating system and method.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of using the actuatorassembly as a remote control for a bipolar electrosurgical actuatingsystem and method.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an actuator assemblyintegrated into a forceps for a bipolar electrosurgical actuating systemand method.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an actuator assemblyintegrated into a power cord for a bipolar electrosurgical actuatingsystem and method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments are described more fully below in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the system and method.However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms andshould not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forthherein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to betaken in a limiting sense.

When elements are referred to as being “connected” or “coupled,” theelements can be directly connected or coupled together or one or moreintervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when elements arereferred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled,” thereare no intervening elements present.

FIGS. 1 and 2 a-2 b illustrate a prior art system where pedal controller90 may actuate bipolar generator 60 by means of pedal signaling 96directed along pedal control line 98 and into control input 64. Leftpedal 92 may be depressed to actuate a cutting mode for forceps 12,while right pedal 94 may be depressed to actuate a coagulation mode. Inresponse to signals on pedal control line 98, a heating current 66 maybe dispatched from bipolar generator 60 onto power cord 68 which mayterminate in generator receptacle 28 having sockets 44. A powerconnector (not shown) on bipolar generator 60 may output the heatingcurrent 66 into a removably connectable power cord 68. The voltagewaveform of heating current 66 may be intermittent for coagulation mode,as shown in FIG. 1, or may be continuous for cutting mode. Surgical tool(forceps) 12 may receive the heating current 66 through prongs 42 oftool plug 16 plugged into generator receptacle 28.

Continuing with FIGS. 1 and 2 a-2 b, two elongated blades or tines 14may be coated with an insulator or various insulation materials on allparts extending from base end 20 to heating end 18 in order to avoid ashort circuit. However, the blades may be bare on the inside tips nearheating end 18 for grabbing tissues to be cauterized or dissected by thepassage of heating current 66. Heating current 66 may be an alternatingcurrent and have a frequency ranging from approximately 200 kHz toapproximately 4.0 MHz. A handle 22 may be held by a surgeon and mayallow for articulation of blades 14. Blades 14 may be insulatively boundtogether by insulator 26 and may allow for articulation of blades 14.Insulator 26 may also retain prongs 42 of tool plug 16. Base portion 24may refer to the portion of the tool 12 closest to tool plug 16 andwhich is not involved in surgical effect, and may be approximatelyconcurrent with handle 22.

Now referring to FIGS. 3a-3b, 4a-4b, 5a-5b , and 6-8, in variousembodiments, a bipolar electrosurgical actuating system 10 may comprisean actuator assembly 30 having an output receptacle 34 with sockets 44,an input plug 32 with male connecting members such as prongs 42, and anactuating component 40 arranged to pass a heating current 66 from prongs42 to the mating female sockets 44. Actuator assembly 30 may beinterposed in-line between a tool plug 16 of surgical tool (forceps) 12and a generator receptacle 28 complementary to tool plug 16, as shown inFIG. 3b . The connector type chosen for output receptacle 34 and inputplug 32 may be selected to match the size, style, and gender of theconnector used by surgical tools 12 of different manufacture. Actuatingcomponent 40 may include a switch 36 and a lever arm 38 and may beconfigured to communicate with bipolar generator 60 for selectivelyactuating the heating current 66 to flow from input plug 32 to outputreceptacle 34 upon engagement of the switch 36 or the lever arm 38.Alternately, actuating component 40 may include only a switch 36 or onlya lever arm 38. Various means known in the art may facilitate selectiveactuation of bipolar generator 60 and which are described below forFIGS. 6-8.

Continuing, in various embodiments, heating current 66 may pass throughpower cord 68 to generator receptacle 28, through actuator assembly 30,and into forceps 12 at tool plug 16. Heating current 66 may then conductthrough insulator 26 to base end 20 of blades 14 for effectuating atleast one of a cutting mode and a coagulation mode at heating end 18.Base portion 24 may refer to the portion of the forceps 12 closest totool plug 16 and which is not involved in surgical effect, and may beapproximately concurrent with handle 22. Generalizing, surgical tool 12may include two elongated conducting members (blades 14) terminating ina heating end 18. Alternatives to a forceps may include a hemostat, ascissors, a clamp, a clip, a scalpel, a hook, and a loop. Alternativesto the prong 42 and socket 44 connectors may include a wire terminal, abayonet twist mount, a flush mount with screws, locking pins with arelease, a snap, and a clamp. Alternatively, the tool plug 16 and inputplug 32 may be configured as female connectors and the generatorreceptacle and output receptacle may be configured as male connectors.In another embodiment, not shown, assembly 30 may include a jumper cord(not shown) interposed between actuating component 40 and input plug 32,where generator receptacle 28 may be a power connector (not shown)mounted on the bipolar generator and outputting heating current 66 intoan actuator assembly that includes the power cord feature. In this case,input plug 32 is chosen to mate with the power connector at bipolargenerator 60.

Referring still to FIGS. 3a-3b, 4a-4b, 5a-5b , and 6-8, in variousembodiments, pedal controller 90 may optionally be connected to bipolargenerator 60 by pedal control line 98 for offering an additional methodof selectively actuating bipolar generator 60. Left pedal 92 and rightpedal 94 may be depressed to actuate a cutting mode or a coagulationmode, respectively. In an embodiment, selective actuation of bipolargenerator 60 may be accomplished by a hard electrical switch 46 includedin actuating component 40 and engaged by switch 36 for directlyconducting the heating current 66 from input plug 32 to outputreceptacle 34 (FIG. 6). In another embodiment, selective actuation ofbipolar generator 60 may be accomplished by a control circuit 70included in actuating component 40 and generating a control signaling 72conductively or inductively coupled by signaling tap 78 to input plug 32for communicating with bipolar generator 60 for selectively actuatingheating current 66 (FIG. 7). In yet another embodiment, selectiveactuation of bipolar generator 60 may be accomplished by an actuatortransmitter 74 included in the actuating component 40, where a controlsignaling 72 may be wirelessly transmitted to and receivable by thebipolar generator 60 via auxiliary receiver 76 (FIG. 8). Additionaldescription for FIGS. 6-8 is provided below.

Continuing with FIGS. 3a-3b, 4a-4b, 5a-5b , and 6-8, in variousembodiments, lever arm 38 may be hingedly moveable to engage switch 36for selectively actuating the heating current 66. For example, lever arm38 may be hinged at one end and configured to depress a momentary pushbutton switch 36 when lever arm 38 is moved downward and toward assembly30. Alternately, lever arm 38 may engage a rocker switch 36 (not shown)during a sideways movement parallel to the surface of assembly 30 andthereby actuate heating current 66. Referring to FIGS. 4a-4b , in anembodiment, lever arm 38 may extend over handle 22 along the sides offorceps 12 or the top or bottom of forceps 12, providing a convenientmeans for actuating heating current 66 using the same or opposite handas the hand holding forceps 12. Lever arm 38 may be configured foroperation by a human hand such that it conforms to the shape of the handand its available range of motion to allow for a subtle and fault-freeengagement without interfering with the articulation of forceps 12.

Still with FIGS. 3a-3b, 4a-4b, 5a-5b , and 6-8, in various embodiments,lever arm 38 may include a lever switch mechanism (not shown) forselectively actuating the heating current 66 in response to adisplacement of the lever arm 38 by at least one of the following means:mechanical actuation, electrical resistance, piezoelectric pressure,electrostatic sensing. The displacement may be an angular pivoting, apistoning of the lever shaft, a rotation of the shaft, a flexing, orsome other movement. The lever switch mechanism may eliminate a need forswitch 36, or may provide additional control features in addition tothose provided by switch 36. For example, lever arm 38 may be a rodextending from a piezoelectric ‘joystick’ base (lever switch mechanism).Switch 36 may be configured as at least one of a push button, a slideswitch, a rotating shaft, a joystick, an electrostatic sensor, apiezoelectric sensor, a temperature switch, a rocker switch, a momentaryswitch, and a voice-activated switch. Switch 36 may be used alone or incombination with lever arm 38. Advantageously, having a flexible meansfor interposing a switch 36 and/or lever arm 38 in-line with power cord68 may provide a visible and/or reliably known location for selectivelyactuating heating current 66.

Referring now to FIGS. 5a-5b , in an embodiment, a jumper cord 58 mayconnect a tool portion 86 of actuator assembly 30 to a generator portion88 of actuator assembly 30, the tool portion 86 containing outputreceptacle 34 and connecting to tool plug 16, the generator portion 88containing input plug 32 and actuating component 40 and connecting togenerator receptacle 28. In various embodiments, jumper cord 58 mayseparate and provide conduction between input plug 32 and outputreceptacle 34 for mounting the actuating component 40 to an operatingtable 100. For example, lever arm 38, when positioned at operating table100, may be engaged by a human hand or hip. Alternatively, jumper cord58 may enable the actuating component 40 to be held by a human hand,held actuatably in a human mouth, mounted to a positioning arm, mountedactuatably to a human upper body, or mounted to another piece ofoperating room equipment. In other embodiments, actuating component 40may be interposed anywhere along an available current path (FIG. 10)concurrent with power cord 68 and extending from handle 22 of a surgicaltool 12 to bipolar generator 60. For example, in an embodiment notshown, assembly 30 may include jumper cord 58 for separating andproviding conduction between actuating component 40 and input plug 32,where generator receptacle 28 may be a power connector (not shown)mounted on the bipolar generator and outputting heating current 66 intoan actuator assembly that includes the power cord feature. In this case,generator receptacle 28 may not be complementary to tool plug 16.Advantageously, providing an in-line method for selectively actuatingheating current 66 may allow actuating component 40 to be flexiblypositioned for reliable access by some part of a human upper body,thereby removing the limitations and uncertainty of a pedal controller90.

Referring now to FIG. 6, in various embodiments, selective actuation ofbipolar generator 60 may be accomplished by hard electrical switches 46closing a circuit between input plug 32 and output receptacle 34 foreach respective conductor. Hard electrical switch 46 may be asingle-pole-single-throw type that may be mechanically or electricallyengaged by switch 36. Alternatively, one hard electrical switch 46 mayclose the circuit of one of two bipolar conducting paths, the othercircuit being continually closed. In an embodiment, a heating current 66may be available at generator receptacle 28 at a desired presetcondition, and engagement of hard electrical switch 46 may close thecircuit actuating bipolar generator 60 to conduct heating current 66 tosurgical tool 12. In this case, the engagement of hard electrical switch46 may constitute a communication with and an actuation of bipolargenerator 60. For example, a surgeon may depress left pedal 92 foreffectuating a cutting mode, and then engage switch 36 to pass theheating current 66 to a forceps 12 at the precise moment required.Advantageously, a precision cut may be engaged by a switch 36 or leverarm 38 located at or above a waist level and having a finer movementthan a large, heavy foot pedal not visible to the surgeon.

Continuing with FIG. 6, in an embodiment not shown, selective actuationof bipolar generator 60 may be accomplished by a hard electrical switchclosing a circuit between two auxiliary wires (not shown) incorporatedinto power cord 68 for tripping a relay (not shown) actuating theheating current 66. The relay may be internal to generator 60 or may beincluded in an auxiliary receiver that generates a pedal signaling 96for control input 64. A continuous pass-through connection may existbetween input plug 32 and output receptacle 34.

Referring to FIG. 7, in an embodiment, selective actuation of bipolargenerator 60 may be accomplished by a control circuit 70 included inactuating component 40 and generating a control signaling 72corresponding to an engagement of switch 36 or lever arm 38 andconductively or inductively coupled by signaling tap 78 to input plug 32for communicating with bipolar generator 60 to selectively actuateheating current 66. Bipolar generator 60 may include auxiliary receiver76 (which is illustrated internal to bipolar generator 60) for decodingcontrol signaling 72. Receiver 76 may decode control signaling 72 into acontrol format similar to that of pedal signaling 96 conventionallyreceived by pedal controller 90 for effectuating one of a cutting modeor a coagulation mode. Additionally, control signaling may effectuate anOFF mode where there is no current flow. A closed circuit may existbetween receptacle 34 and input plug 32. Alternatively, in an embodimentnot shown, auxiliary receiver 76 may be external to bipolar generator 60and may collect a sample of control signaling 72 from a coupler orinductive strap (not shown) wrapped around power cord 68. Auxiliaryreceiver 76 may decode the control signaling 72 and may then direct thedecoded output (not shown) into control input 64, thereby avoidingmodifications to bipolar generator 60. Optionally, pedal controller 90(FIGS. 3a and 8) may be plugged into an available control input 64through pedal control line 98 for providing an additional means foractuating heating current 66.

Referring to FIG. 8, in an embodiment, selective actuation of bipolargenerator 60 may be accomplished by an actuator transmitter 74 includedin actuating component 40, where a control signaling 72 from controlcircuit 70 and corresponding to an engagement of switch 36 or lever arm38 may be wirelessly transmitted to auxiliary receiver 76 external tobipolar generator 60. Auxiliary receiver 76 may then decode controlsignaling 72 into a suitable format (not shown) for communicating overauxiliary control line 99 into bipolar generator 60 at control input 64.Bipolar generator 60 may then effectuate a desired operational mode ofsurgical tool 12 based on the decoded output of auxiliary receiver 76. Aclosed circuit may exist between receptacle 34 and input plug 32.Alternatively, in an embodiment not shown, auxiliary receiver 76 may beinternal to bipolar generator 60 for decoding control signaling 72received wirelessly from actuator transmitter 74. Optionally, pedalcontroller 90 may be configured to secondarily actuate a cut mode orcoagulation mode through pedal control line 98 routed into auxiliaryreceiver 76 (which is illustrated external to bipolar generator 60) atcontrol input 64 a. In an embodiment, auxiliary receiver 76 may combinepedal signaling 96 and control signaling 72 for selectively actuatingbipolar generator 60 via auxiliary control line 99.

Referring to FIGS. 7-8, in various embodiments, control signaling 72 mayincorporate additional control beyond those effectuating modes ofelectrosurgery. For example, control signaling may be configured forsetting the voltage or duty cycle (not shown) of bipolar generator 60,and may also be configured for setting the operating conditions of otherequipment in the operating room (not shown), such as by auxiliaryreceiver 76 receiving and routing commands directed to equipment otherthan bipolar generator 60. In other embodiments, actuator assembly 30may include a microphone and a voice-activated switch for selectivelyactuating heating current 66.

Referring to FIG. 9, in various embodiments, actuator assembly 30 mayinclude a battery (not shown) for powering control circuit 70 andactuator transmitter 74, the actuator assembly 30 being removed frominterposition between tool plug 16 and generator receptacle 28 in orderto operate as a remote control and configured for mounting to operatingtable 100. In an embodiment, upon engagement of lever arm 38, controlcircuit 70 generates control signaling 72 which is received and decodedby auxiliary receiver 76, selectively actuating bipolar generator 60through auxiliary control line 99 and control input 64. Upon actuationof bipolar generator 60, heating current 66 is conducted through powercord 68, through the connector pair composed of generator receptacle 28and tool plug 16, and to the heating end 18 of blades 14 of forceps 12.In an embodiment, pedals 92 and 94 of pedal controller 90 may bedepressed to send pedal signaling 96 over pedal control line 98 and intocontrol input 64 a for actuating bipolar generator 60.

Continuing with FIGS. 9 and 10, in various embodiments, remote assembly30 may be handheld, held actuatably in a human mouth, hingedly mountedto a shoe, mounted actuatably to a human upper body, mounted to apositioning arm, and mounted to at least one blade 14 of forceps 12. Inan embodiment, actuator assembly 30 may include a blade coupling element(not shown) similar to signaling tap 78 for coupling control signaling72 of a remote control assembly 30 onto one or both blades 14 of forceps12. In various embodiments, the actuating component 40 (not shown) maybe disposed with a switch (not shown), a lever arm 38, a lever switchmechanism 49 (not shown) integrated into lever arm 38, or a lever arm 38and switch 36, each permutation for effectuating an electrosurgicalmode, such as coagulation. Input plug 32 and output receptacle 34 (notshown) may be excluded from a remote control assembly or their contactsmay be insulated.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, in various embodiments, two elongatedconducting members 14 extending from a base end 20 of surgical tool 12to a heating end 18 may be configured to receive heating current 66 fromthe bipolar generator 60 through a power cord 68. The bipolarelectrosurgical actuating system may include the actuating component ofthe actuator assembly in an integral configuration with the elongatedconducting members. This integral configuration may be built into thebase or blades of a bipolar forceps, which may be disposable or reusableor otherwise configured for single use or multiple uses.

There may be no connector intervening between power cord 68 and tool 12.An actuator assembly 30 may be interposed along an available currentpath 62 extending between a handle 22 of surgical tool 12 and bipolargenerator 60, the interposing resulting in, for each conductorinterposed, a generator terminal 52 (FIG. 11) conductive to bipolargenerator 60 and a tip terminal 54 (FIG. 11) conductive to heating end18. Actuator assembly 30 may include actuating component 40 having atleast one of a switch 36 and a lever arm 38 and being configured tocommunicate with the bipolar generator 60 to selectively actuate heatingcurrent 66 to flow from generator terminal 52 to tip terminal 54 uponengagement of the switch 36 or the lever arm 38, as described for FIGS.6-8 above. The flow of heating current 66 may be facilitated by at leastone of the following actuating steps: closing a hard electrical switch46 in actuating component 40 (FIG. 6), coupling a control signaling 72from actuating component 40 onto the available current path 62 andreceivable by bipolar generator 60 (FIGS. 7, 10-11), and wirelesslytransmitting control signaling 72 from actuating component 40 to andreceivable by bipolar generator 60 (FIG. 8).

Continuing with FIGS. 10 and 11, in various embodiments, actuatorassembly 30 may be interposed in at least one of the elongatedconducting members 14 within a base portion 24 of surgical tool 12nearer base end 20 (FIG. 10). In an embodiment, switch 36 may comprise arocker switch for permanent or momentary engagement of an operationalmode, such as cauterization (FIG. 10). In embodiments not shown,actuating component 40 may include lever arm 38 extending over theforceps handle 22, as described for FIGS. 3a-3b and 4a-4b above. Inanother embodiment, actuator assembly 30 may be interposed in power cord68, and may couple a control signaling 72 from actuating component 40onto the power cord 68 for receiving by bipolar generator 60 (FIG. 11).Control input 64 may be optionally utilized a by pedal controller 90(FIG. 3a ) for actuating a heating current 66, or may be utilized byauxiliary receiver 76 (which is illustrated external to bipolargenerator 60) (FIGS. 8 and 9) for conducting decoded control signaling72 into bipolar generator 60, thereby selecting an operational mode suchas coagulation, cutting, or an off mode.

Referring still to FIGS. 10 and 11, in an embodiment not shown, actuatorassembly 30 may interpose power cord 68 where an input plug 32 is addedto generator terminal 52 for mating to the power cord and where a bladeconnector (not shown) is added to tool terminal 54 for clipping orsliding onto forceps blades 14. In this embodiment, tool plug 16 may bebypassed or used strictly for mechanically mounting assembly 30, whileheating current 66 may be routed through assembly 30 via the bladeconnector to blades 14 upon engagement of the switch 36 or the lever arm38. In another embodiment, assembly 30 may include a jumper cord(functioning as power cord 68) between actuating component 40 and inputplug 32, the assembly plugging into a power connector (not shown)mounted on bipolar generator 60 and outputting heating current 66 fordelivery to blades 14 via the blade connector described above. In anembodiment, selective actuation may be accomplished by a hard electricalswitch closing a circuit between two auxiliary wires (not shown)accompanying the two wires carrying heating current 66, the switchclosing for tripping a relay (not shown) actuating the heating current.The relay may be internal to generator 60 or may be included in anauxiliary receiver that generates a pedal signaling 96 for control input64.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, in various embodiments, insulator 26 mayinsulatively bind conducting members 14 together, and may allow fortheir articulation by a surgeon. Additionally, insulator 26 may joinpower cord 68 with conducting members 14 without the use of connectors.In an embodiment, in FIG. 10, assembly 30 may be interposed on only oneconducting member 14 and may acquire access to the second conductor ofpower cord 68 via a wire (not shown) channeled through member 14 frominsulator 26, thereby completing a circuit for sending control signaling72.

The foregoing description of the subject matter has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the subject matter to the precise form disclosed,and other modifications and variations may be possible in light of theabove teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order tobest explain the principles of the invention and its practicalapplication to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilizethe invention in various embodiments and various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that theappended claims be construed to include other alternative embodimentsexcept insofar as limited by the prior art.

I claim:
 1. An actuator assembly adapted for use with a bipolarelectrosurgical tool comprising a forceps having a tool plug at aproximal region and two blades mounted to the tool plug with facinginterior surfaces, each blade extending from the tool plug to anelectrode at a distal region of the blade and having an exterior surfacewith a handle portion at an intermediate region of the blade forarticulation of the forceps by a hand of a user, wherein the tool plugis electrically connected to the electrodes for applying to tissueelectrical current introduced to the tool plug as the user articulatesthe forceps with the handle portions, the actuator assembly comprising:a connector for mounting the actuator assembly on the tool plug and aswitch on the connector movable between an open position and a closedposition, wherein the connector is configured for connection to anelectrical generating apparatus to introduce the electrical current tothe tool plug in response to movement of the switch from the openposition to the closed position; and an actuator arm having a proximalregion configured for mounting to the connector for movement of theactuator arm by the hand of the user toward the switch to place theswitch in the closed position by contacting the switch with the actuatorarm, wherein the actuator arm and the connector are configured so thatthe actuator arm extends from the proximal region thereof in thedirection of the distal region of one of the two blades and is spacedfrom the exterior surface of said blade to permit movement of theactuator arm toward said exterior surface and into contact with theswitch when the actuator assembly is mounted on the tool plug.
 2. Theactuator assembly in claim 1, wherein the switch comprises a push buttonswitch and the actuator arm is pivotally mounted to the connector at ahinge for rotation by the hand of the user relative to the connector todepress the push button switch into the closed position, and theactuator arm extends from the hinge toward a distal end of the forcepswhen the connector is mounted on the tool plug.
 3. The actuator assemblyin claim 2, wherein the connector includes an output plug comprisingeither (i) at least two male connecting members for mating with at leasttwo female sockets of the tool plug, or (ii) at least two female socketsfor mating with at least two male connecting members of the tool plugfor removably mounting the actuator assembly on the bipolarelectrosurgical tool and electrically connecting each of the at leasttwo male connecting members with a corresponding one of the at least twofemale sockets.
 4. The actuator assembly in claim 3, wherein theconnector includes an input plug for removably attaching the connectorto a power cord of the electrical generating apparatus.
 5. The actuatorassembly in claim 2, wherein the connector comprises an output plugconsisting of two female sockets and the tool plug includes two maleconnecting members for removably mounting the actuator assembly on thebipolar electrosurgical tool and electrically connecting each of the twomale connecting members with a corresponding one of the two femalesockets.
 6. The actuator assembly in claim 5, wherein the actuator armextends alongside said blade exterior surface adjacent to the actuatorarm when the two male connecting members on the tool plug are mated withthe two mating female sockets on the connector.
 7. The actuator assemblyin claim 5, further comprising a power cord.
 8. The actuator assembly inclaim 7, wherein the power cord extends between a first end connected tothe connector and a second end having a power plug for removablyconnecting the power cord to the electrical generating apparatus.
 9. Theactuator assembly in claim 5, wherein the actuator arm is permanentlymounted to the connector.
 10. The actuator assembly in claim 9, furthercomprising a power cord extending between a first end connected to theconnector and a second end having a power plug for removably connectingthe power cord to the electrical generating apparatus.
 11. The actuatorassembly in claim 10, wherein: the power cord includes a generatorreceptacle at the first end of the power cord; the connector furthercomprises a connector input plug having two male connecting members formating with two female sockets on the generator receptacle; and theactuator assembly is a unitary structure comprising the connector andthe actuating component.
 12. The actuator assembly in claim 1, furthercomprising a power cord.
 13. The actuator assembly in claim 12, whereinthe power cord extends between a first end connected to the connectorand a second end having a power plug for removably connecting the powercord to the electrical generating apparatus.
 14. An electrosurgicalapparatus comprising: a bipolar electrosurgical tool comprising aforceps having a tool plug at a proximal region and two blades mountedto the tool plug with facing interior surfaces, each blade extendingfrom the tool plug to an electrode at a distal region of the blade andhaving an exterior surface with a handle portion at an intermediateregion of the blade for articulation of the forceps by a hand of a user,wherein the tool plug is electrically connected to the electrodes forapplying to tissue electrical current introduced to the tool plug as theuser articulates the forceps with the handle portions; and an actuatorassembly having (i) a connector including an output plug cooperatingwith the tool plug to removably mount the actuator assembly on thebipolar electrosurgical tool and a switch on the connector movablebetween an open position and a closed position, wherein the connector isconfigured for introducing the electrical current from an electricalgenerating apparatus to the tool plug in response to movement of theswitch from the open position to the closed position, and (ii) anincluding an actuator arm having a proximal region mounted to theconnector actuating component for movement of the actuator arm by thehand of the user toward the switch to place the switch in the closedposition by contacting the switch with the actuator arm, wherein theactuator arm and the connector are configured so that the actuator armextends from the proximal region thereof in the direction of the distalregion of one of the two blades and is spaced from said exterior surfaceof said one blade to permit movement of the actuator arm toward saidexterior surface and into contact with the switch when the actuatorassembly is mounted on the tool plug.
 15. The electrosurgical apparatusin claim 14, wherein the switch comprises a push button switch and theactuator arm is mounted to the connector at a hinge for rotation by thehand of the user relative to the connector to depress the push buttonswitch into the closed position, and the actuator arm extends from thehinge toward the distal end of the forceps when the connector is mountedon the bipolar electrosurgical tool.
 16. The electrosurgical apparatusin claim 15, wherein the tool plug consists of two male connectingmembers and the output plug consists of two mating female sockets formaking electrical connections between the two mating female sockets andthe two male connecting members.
 17. The electrosurgical apparatus inclaim 16, wherein the actuator arm extends alongside said exteriorsurface of said one blade adjacent to the actuator arm.
 18. Theelectrosurgical apparatus in claim 14, further comprising a power cordhaving a first end connected to the connector and a second end connectedto a power plug including at least one of a male connecting member or afemale mating socket for removably connecting the power cord to theelectrical generating apparatus.
 19. The electrosurgical apparatus inclaim 18, wherein the actuator arm is permanently mounted to theconnector.